Following Football All Around The Globe

Every national team that participates regularly in the World Cup very likely has a tournament or a match they would just as soon forget, and those that are lucky have one that they like to brag about whenever the opportunity arises. While they had plenty of less than memorable moments, that elusive shining moment, for Germany, came in 1974 and was made all the sweeter for the games having been played on their own native soil.

Many considered the 1974 World Cup as a sure win for Team Holland. After all, they were the odds on favorites as the tournament opened and they sailed through the opening rounds easily, fortified with players like Johan Cryuff numbered amongst their ranks. Most football fans never doubted that they would go all the way to the final game. Those fans were quite right. Holland did make it to the much-coveted final match of that Cup series. Then they came face to face with a home-crowd favorite, Team Germany, on that field in Munich, and the Holland’s dream turned into a nightmare.

How did it happen? After all, Holland had advanced through the first round without much opposition. During the second, the Dutch squad breezed past Brazil and Argentina. West Germany, meanwhile, was busily dashing the hopes of Poland, Sweden and Yugoslavia.

Then, it came down to one game, and two teams that were surprisingly, very evenly matched.

Even as their fans cheered them on, Germany was quickly down by one before they could even touch the ball. For a few brief moments it seemed that Holland would fulfill the predictions of so many. The Dutch squad, however, could not seem to hold on to the lead, and eventually, the Germans swept past them to win the match and the Cup by a final score of two to one.

The German’s like to remember the 1974 World Cup. I would strongly suspect the Dutch might prefer to forget it. As I said before, every team has its moments.

Germany is considered to be the best team in their performance consistency over the years. Currently, Germany ranks the 5th in FIFA rankings. A quick glimpse into their profile follows:Read more..